Andover City Council discusses compensation

Wednesday

Nov 14, 2012 at 11:00 AM

Governing body compensation was a topic of discussion at Andover's City Council meeting on Nov. 13.

Beth Sullivan

Governing body compensation was a topic of discussion at Andover's City Council meeting on Nov. 13. Currently, the mayor and City Council members receive compensation for meetings that they actually attend. Council members receive $50 per meeting and the mayor receives $75 per meeting. The governing body discussed whether or not compensation should be received if not present at a meeting. Council Member Kris Estes said she felt the existing resolution should remain unchanged. "You should be present to receive the compensation because you have to be present to vote....To receive the compensation of $50 a meeting, I think people need to be here and vote and put their name on the line for whatever happens that night at the meeting," Estes said. Council Member Byron Stout commented, "Back when this was originally written, there weren't as many liaison positions. There's more time that we're out doing things; more meetings that we're attending." "It's not the money. None of us are doing this for the money," Stout said. "In today's economy, things are so scary right now that I just don't want to be involved in upping our salary. I see both sides of the picture. But I think we should probably proceed the way it is at this point in time," said Council Member CR Nelson. "I hear a consensus to just leave it alone," said Mayor Ben Lawrence. The resolution remained unchanged. The City Council also: * Approved a General Obligation Bond bid by UMB Bank for 2.15272 percent. The bond is for Andover Landing. * Approved an ordinance authorizing the issuance of General Obligation Bonds in the aggregate principal amount of $2,444,000 and providing for the levy and collection of an annual tax for Andover Landing. * Approved a resolution prescribing the form and details of and authorizing and directing the sale and delivery of General Obligation Bonds in the aggregate principal amount of $2,444,000. * Approved an ordinance changing the zoning district classification on Hope Community Church property for the purpose of the Sunlight Children's Advocacy and Rights Foundation building Sunshine Children's Home. * Approved revised guidelines for the Site Plan Review Committee.The revised guidelines are for miscellaneous structures and mechanical equipment screening, site lighting and landscape and parking lot screening. Council Member CR Nelson commented, "This project has probably been three years in the making. I recommend that we proceed with this. I think it's step one. We can do better as time goes along. But I think it's a god positive step." * Approved an ordinance amending the Zoning Regulations pertaining to applicability of Site Plan approval.